Window ventilator



June 10, 1952 s. o. GILLEN wmnow VENTILATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 24, 1947 Hull l wk INVENTOR. 27 a 517/6 INVENTOR. @6119 0 a??? E. o. GILLEN WINDOW VENTYILATOR III I June 10, 1952 Filed- 001;. 24, 1947 June 10, 1952 E. o. GILLEN 3 wmnow VENTILATOR Filed Oct. 24, 1947 3 SheetsSheet 3 Patented June 10, 1952 UNITE-D] smresi PATENT QFF'ICE Eugene 0. Gillen; Milwaukee, Wis;

Application October 24, 1947, Serial No; 781,857

This invention relates to automatic ventilators to be-installed on the inside sill of a window for controlling the temperature and ventilation of the room byregulating the passage of air through the window and ventilator device.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved opening and closing ventilator mechanism which is not afiected by wind pressure and'which operates quietly and efliciently under all conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ventilator cabinet and closure mechanism of new and improved design.

Another object is to provide a ventilator in which the mechanism for closing and opening the ventilator is substantially in balance and is unaffected by forces other than that of the thermostatic control unit.

Another object is to provide a. ventilator havmg. a; movable member closing the air passageway which will not rattle or flutter. v

Another object of the invention is to provide ai'ventilator of low cost design and inexpensive construction.

Another object is to provide a ventilator of large. capacity requiring a relatively smallenless expensive thermostatic operating device.

Another object is to provide such a closed window ventilator cabinet which will permit the raising and: lowering of the-window without removal of theventilator fromthewindow.

These and other" objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully disclosed in the following description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention as illustrated in the: accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the ventilator with; parts-broken away;

Fig- 2: is an: end elevation of the ventilator;

Fig. 3 :isa transverse vertical section of the ventilator showing the closure member half open position;

Fig. 4 is a. view similar to Fig. 3' showing" the closure member in closed position;

.Fig. 515 atop plan view of the ventilator with the upper: grille removed; and

Fig. 6 is: a. detailed view of the clutch mechanism...

The: room ventilatonasshown in the drawings, is adapted to be employed in the ventilation of bedrooms, offices and the like; particularly in winter; where it is desired to prevent cooling or the room below a. predetermined temperature. this; purposethe ventilator opening. is ther 8 Claims. (C1,. 98-99-2).

' mostatically controlled toclose the sameas the temperature of the air within the room appreaches a predetermined lowtemperature.

The-ventilator unit comprises acabinet I have ing extensible panel sections 2 proj ecting on each side of the-cabinet. The cabinet is adapted to be set" within the lowerpart of a window frame. 3 on the inside of a room and tocover the opening of the window withthe window raised toacertain height. The cabinet is supported within the frame by-the panel sections which are adapted to be-secured to the oppositesides. ofthe window frame 3:. I r v The air fromthe outside. enters the cabinet through anopen side 4. of the-cabinet .facing the window opening and passes. from the cabinet into the. room through. thegrille in the. top removable cover of the .cabinet.- Thequantity of air. which is. allowed. to enter the room is controlled by a thermostatic. bellows unit 5 disposed within the cabinetv atv one end thereof and which operates a closure mechanism within the cabmet', as will be described.

The cabinet .I. is generally .rectangularlyshaped. The open. side facingsthe window opening.;i straight and the lower, front and top sidesfare joined ina. curve to provide. a streamlined appearance.-

A- singlecurved member 6 forms the lower and front sides or the cabinet'and the curved cover 1 extends over the top of the cabinet.

Two end pieces 8 and 9 'corresponding'tothe shape of the cabinet close each end and are spot welded or otherwise secured along the opposite side edges of-rmem-ber 6 by means of-thecircumferential .flanges -l0:-- around. each-end piece. Flanges In of eachend piece extend in the same direction permitting. identical members to be, employed,v thereby savingtool cost.-- The end piece 9 havingflanges lfuextendingoutwardly provides the mounting for the thermostatic control. 5, as wilLbe described. End piece 9, isioined to member '6 withamarginal portion .of flange l0 extending beyond the edgeot member 6 to provide means for securing to the cabinet a cover for the thermostatic control as will also. bendescribed. a

The cabinet |.is generally of standard size and the ventilator may be made to fit windows of diiferent widths by providing interchangeable intermediate panel sections ot the necessary widths adapted to slide into positionby means of the slip joints l-l betweenthe panel sections 2 and the corresponding. .end pieces- 8 and 9.

A: grille or show r]: ll is provided the front member 6' to the window frames.

front side of the cabinet and covered by means of a clear or colored semi-transparent plastic material |3 secured to the inside of the cabinet. The grille provides a more attractive unit and materially reduces the amount of light which 5 is otherwise obstructed and prevented from entering through the window. V

A grille M in the top cover 1 is provided to allow theair to pass from thejcabinet into the room. Cover 1 is secured along the upper edge of front member 6 by means of hinges l5. In closed position the cover rests at either end 7 upon the flanges ll) of end pieces 8 and 9 and when opened upwardly provides access within the cabinet to the closure mechanism or to the window handle for raising or lowering the same.

The closure mechanism comprises a 'rec'ta'n gular piece of flexible material or cloth l6 which is secured along one edge to the inside top' edge ofmemberfi by meansof a metal strip @A'series ofimetalsupporting stays l8 spaced parallel to'strip I1 are-sewedto cloth l6. An

9. Collars, 22 riding on shaft 2| are secured to the. lower ends of each rod'20. V I

Cloth |6 ,should be of a size to extend fully between end pieces Band 9 and to extend from In fopen? position thecloth is folded against the inner front side of the cabinet and provides for free passage of air from the window opening through the grillegin'. the top of the cabinet. In closed? positionjthe cloth is unfolded and carried in an arev around shaft 2| by rods 20 to extendfully to the window to closethe top of the cabinet -and preYentthe passage of air therethrough. Any intermediate position may fold the cloth 16.; n

. Rotation of. shaft 2 in response to temperature changes in the room toopen or close the clo'suremebhanismv isacoomplished by the bellows. type thermostatic-unit 5 which is mounted on theouter' side offend sections 9 above, shaft 2| extending outwardly therefrom- V Thermostat 5 'is of thethermal expansion type and. should be. constructed to operate through a selected. temperature; range with a movement sufficient, torotate .shaft-2|. and closefor open the. closure. device within any preselected l5 to 20? ofthe full operating range, V r r Thermostat 5 iseonnected to rQtat'eshaft ZI by means of an operating rod 23 connecting the unit 5 and a lever arm 24 on shaft |5 A safety n adiu tm n 1 5 r vine y onn lever arm '24 and shaftl2|., Upon contraction or expansion .of the bellows of unit 5 in response to a changeof, temperature, unit 5 through rod ZJ and-Ieverarm rotates shaft2| to effect a predetermined. corresponding opening or clos ing of, the ventilatorunit.

* Theprincipleofoperation of thethermosta-tically controlled ventilator device as disclosed herein is substantially the same as that fully described and claimed in my copending application ,entitled Room Ventilator, Serial No. 679,315, filed June 26, 1946 now Patent No. 2,520,752.

The clutch 25 which is similar to that shown in the above mentioned copending application comprises, in general, acircular plate 26 fixed.

on shaft 2| and frictionally engaged by the circular base of lever arm 25 under the biasing influence of a dished spring 21.

The lever arm 24 is preferably of organic fiber composition or resin impregnated fiber construction to provide a relatively high coefficient of friction with the metal of disc 26.

' iThe' .domeshaped'sprin 21 has its perimeter engaging .the outside of arm 24 and biasing the arm against disc 26. Disc 26 has an ear or lug 28 extending laterally from its outer edge across a recess 29in the edge-of lever arm 24 andinto a recess 30 iii-the circumferential edge of spring 25 so that springZ'l is prevented from turning except with shaft 2| 'and'disc 26. Recess-"29 in the circumferential edge of lever arm 24 extends through an are equal to that desired for maximum turnin of shaft2l at any position of the closure member when the clutch is released.

' The spring 25 is held'against the plate of leverarm 24 by the collar 3| on-the shaft 32. One end of shaft 32 is threaded and extends through a central hole in spring 21 and'into'a threaded hole in the end of shaft 2|. The otherend of shaft-"s2 extends outwardly and has a manual turning l n0b33 fitted at the end thereof. By turning'knob 33 and shaft 32 the collar 3| is moved to press or release spring 21 and engage or disengage the clutch. By the proper tightening of--the collar against the spring the clutch may be adjustedfforthe required degreeof slip tightness. Notches 34 in the face of collar 3| and corresponding elevations 35 inth'e opposite surface of spring 28provide's a detent locking means to prevent the clutch from slipping out of adjustment.

An end cover 36 partiallyencloses the thermo# static unit and is mounted to fit the exposed marginal flange I6 of end piece 9 flush with the frontand top members 6" and 1. Cover .36 is preferably secured by one or two screws for easy removal and adjustment of the thermostatic unit. Cover 36 is provided with an open grille work to allow the secondary air within the room and circulated by the incoming air to' pass upwardly therethrough and ensure the full response of the thermostatic unit to the temperature of the room. J

The ventilator cabinet is adapted to be positioned on the inner sill of the window and to remain there 'at all times; In the summer it may remain open andserves as a shield to control'th'e ventilation of the room and to prevent rain from entering. In the winter it additionally functions to control the temperature of Itheyroom asdescribed. r .1

Afilter 31 may be providedas shown inthe drawings placed along the inner side of f the curved cover member The filter maybeiof any desired composition or type and may be removably secured to the cover 1 by means of clips 38 along opposite sides thereof. The filter is thereby immediately accessible by lifting of cover I, and is easily removed at any time for replacement or cleaning. Because of its location relative to thewindow opening the filter is cited-'82s particularly well protectedfrom rainand snow and wil'l not? BecomeWeVor fieeZe- The lbcation of thejfilter allows the windowto be-closed with out having fi)? remove the same and does not interfere' in 'anywaywith the window handle.

The archediallric closure moves to open and close along an-arc having'a'substantial radius and :a center. in line: with-.thd directiom of-sair flow requiring a minimum ofzmechanical power; Substantially all thm thrust; otair striking the closure is carried by we shaftfil in a non-rotationall'dilection and the entire mechanismisprotectedj i therefore against sudden surges j air andrflutteringr "Since less power is requiredtoljoperate;a; closure ofthis: type a smaller'or less, expensivejlthermostatic unitoreVen-a bimetallic thermostat may 'beemployed'i By"reducing the length; of the crank arm"'-24it' is "also "possible to substantially reduce "the "operating limits of thethermostat to within or degrees; 'therebgf affordinga more close control "of' thejiair temperature within the-room." f

The closure cloth is' adaptedto extend.slightly beyondthe dimensions of the 'open side 'ofthe cabinet allowing the cabinet to be spaced slightly from the windowfor clearance while at the same time providing a complete;- closing of the air opening. V 1

By opening cover I and moving the closure device to open position by hand the cabinet is completely unobstructed for access to the window handle to open or close the window as desired without difficulty.

When the closure device is fully opened and the clutch is disengaged the closure cloth will not accidentally fall into the window opening and become damaged while lowering the window.

The closure mechanism is free of possible restriction in movement by snow collecting in the base of the ventilator cabinet and will operate regardless of the wind pressures or other weather conditions.

The ventilator may have various embodiments within the scope of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A room ventilator of the class described, comprising a cabinet having an open side to be disposed adjacent a corresponding window opening to receive air from outside, and an open top for the discharge of the air from the cabinet into the room, a flexible expansible closure member to control the entry of air into the room extending the length of the cabinet inside thereof and adapted to be extended selectively across the open top thereof, means securing one edge of said closure member to the front wall of said cabinet and leaving the other edge free to move toward and away from the same, support members for the free edge of saidclosure member extending downwardly therefrom, a pivotal support for said support members carried by the ends of the cabinet near the bottom thereof, and means to adjust the pivotal position of said support members to hold said closure member in adjusted position.

2. A room ventilator of the class described, comprising a cabinet having an open side to be disposed adjacent a corresponding window opening to receive air from the outside and a fixed opening in the top for the discharge of air from the cabinet into the room, a rectangular expansible closure member secured on one side within said cabinet to one wall thereof, supporting means secured to the opposite side of said member-a-nd witl rin said cabiz'ietv to open; and close: see lectively said member within said cabinetf across theopen topthereof, said 'supportin'g: means ext'nding' downwardly-from, said' closure member and lbein'gpivotally supported near the bottomiof said'cabinetyand means to-secure said supporting meansinadjusted piyotal positioni- 3 A roomventilator of the class des'cribed, comprising a cabinet adapted 'to be disposed adjacent 'a wi-ndow opening and having-fixed openings' for the circulation of air thereth-rough from outsidethe-window into the room, aflexibl'e folding e'xpansibl'e closure member secured along one edgethereof-withinsmd 'cabinet to onewall of the cabinet; movable-supporting -meansZLsecuring the 'opposite-edge-of said member andadapted to adj ustably-"control the closure of said-openings by the expansionandcontraction of said flexible closure member, said supporting mean extending downwardly from said-i closure member and being-pivotally supported near thebottom' of said cabinet,-- and l means to secure said supporting meansinadjusted pivotarposition; I I

P dJ A'rdom ventilator of" the class described; comprising acabinet'adapted to b -disposed on a window sill ad j acenta window opening and-having a'ufront weather shield-"with closed ends and an opentop adapted for the passage of" airadmitted through the window into the room, a folding: closure member adapted to adjustably extend across the opening in said cabinet and having one edge fixed to the front shield of the cabinet, a shaft extending longitudinally of the cabinet near the bottom thereof and extending outwardly through a closed end, a stay member secured to the free edge of said closure member and extending radially from said shaft to effect adjustment of said closure by the rotational position of said shaft, and means at the outer end of said shaft for determining the rotational position of the shaft.

5. A room ventilator of the class described, comprising a cabinet adapted to be disposed on a window sill adjacent a window opening and having a front weather shield with closed ends and an open top adapted for the passage of air admitted through the window into the room, a folding closure member adapted to adjustably extend across the opening in said cabinet and. having one edge fixed to the front shield of the cabinet, a

shaft extending longitudinally of the cabinet near the bottom thereof and extending outwardly through a closed end, a stay member secured to the free edge of said closure member and extending radially from said shaft to eifect adjustment of said closure by the rotational position of said shaft, and a thermostat at the end of said cabinet exposed to room air and connected to said shaft to control the rotational position of the same and the corresponding closure of said ventilator.

6. A room ventilator of the class described, comprising a cabinet having an open side to be disposed adjacent a corresponding window opening to receive air from the outside and an open top for the discharge of the air from the cabinet into the room, a folding closure member to control the entry of air into the room extending the length of the cabinet and adapted to be extended selectively across the open top thereof from the front of the cabinet toward the window, and an open grille member hinged at the front of the cabinet for constituting the top thereof, said grille member being pivotally movable away from the window to provide access to the window sash i7,- when said closure member is folded back away from the window.

- 7. 'A room ventilator. of the class described, comprising a cabinet having an open side tobe disposed adjacent a corresponding window opening to receive air from the outside and an open top for the discharge of the air from the cabinet into the room, a folding closure member to control the entry of air into the room extending the length of the cabinet and adapted to be extended selectively ,across'the open top thereof from the front of the cabinet toward the window, an open grille member hinged at th front of the cabinet for constituting the top thereof, said grille member being pivotally movable away from the window to provide access to the window sash when said closure member is folded back away from the window, and a filter removably secured inside said cover member and extending acros the grille thereof in the path of ventilating air. I

' 8. In a room ventilator having a housing adapted tobe disposed in a window between the sash and sill thereof with a fixed opening for the passage of air therethrough, a bellows closure for said opening disposed in said housing and having one edge of the bellows secured along a corresponding edge-of the opening, an adjustabl support for the free edge of said bellows movable to control the closure of the opening by the expansion and contraction of the bellows, said support extending from said closure substantially normal tothe plane of said openin and means to pivot the end of said support at a substantialdistance from said closure for adjustment of said-closure.

. EUGENE 0 GILLEN..

' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: V

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 41,911 Emery p Mar. 15, 1864 171,345 Bracher Dec. 21, 1875 318,494 Olsen May 26, 1885 846,722 Berry Mar. 12, 1907 870,070 Williams Nov. 5, 1907 961,403 Bunnell June 14, 1910 4 1,358,193 Fulton Nov. 9, 1920 1,393,560 Marriott Oct. 11,1921 1,399,135 Nielsen et al. Dec. 6,1921 1,608,090 Ehrsam Nov. 23, 1926 1,630,692 Crosthwaite May 13, 1927 1,992,782 Smith Feb. 26, 1935 2,115,330 Eager Apr. 26, 1938 2,279,271 Williams Apr. 7, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Great Britain June 27, 1935 

